Sinead’s guidebook
Places to eat in Dedham
The Marlborough has finally found its feet again with great new owners. It has a beautifully carved inglenook fire place with cosy seating in the entrance and has a further fireside in the dining area for the colder months. Outside there is a vast amount of seating with a large patio and beer garden perfect for a sunny day in spring or summer. I believe they now serve breakfast on the weekends but you may just want to pop in to try their famous Marlborough Scotched Egg Ploughman’s. On my last visit I shared a starter - Lemon Infused Crispy Pork Belly with Hoi sin, smoked nuts, won ton crisp. Delicious.
Dog Friendly, 5min walk.
7 lokal ang nagrerekomenda
The Marlborough Dedham
Mill LaneThe Marlborough has finally found its feet again with great new owners. It has a beautifully carved inglenook fire place with cosy seating in the entrance and has a further fireside in the dining area for the colder months. Outside there is a vast amount of seating with a large patio and beer garden perfect for a sunny day in spring or summer. I believe they now serve breakfast on the weekends but you may just want to pop in to try their famous Marlborough Scotched Egg Ploughman’s. On my last visit I shared a starter - Lemon Infused Crispy Pork Belly with Hoi sin, smoked nuts, won ton crisp. Delicious.
Dog Friendly, 5min walk.
The Sun Inn is a very popular place to eat and drink. It has a varied menu calling on many seasonal and local produce. If you are into your beer they have a large selection of cask and draught along with the more common options. It has a lovely garden which doubles into a further bar in the summer months and serves bar food. It has a lovely open fire in the front bar with a more formal dining area at the rear. I have had great meals here over the years and the staff are brilliant. The open Smoked Salmon sandwich I had in the summer was faultless.
Dog Friendly, 5min walk.
26 lokal ang nagrerekomenda
Sun Inn Dedham
High StreetThe Sun Inn is a very popular place to eat and drink. It has a varied menu calling on many seasonal and local produce. If you are into your beer they have a large selection of cask and draught along with the more common options. It has a lovely garden which doubles into a further bar in the summer months and serves bar food. It has a lovely open fire in the front bar with a more formal dining area at the rear. I have had great meals here over the years and the staff are brilliant. The open Smoked Salmon sandwich I had in the summer was faultless.
Dog Friendly, 5min walk.
The Boathouse has one of the nicest locations nestled on the river Stour. In the summer it is lovely sitting outside on the patio watching all the visitors walking up and down the river banks. I’ve even witnessed the cows trampling a picnic while I tucked into my dressed crab salad lunch. You cannot reserve a table. This is also the venue that you can hire the rowing boats, make sure you take food for the ducks.
10min walk.
22 lokal ang nagrerekomenda
The Boathouse
Mill LaneThe Boathouse has one of the nicest locations nestled on the river Stour. In the summer it is lovely sitting outside on the patio watching all the visitors walking up and down the river banks. I’ve even witnessed the cows trampling a picnic while I tucked into my dressed crab salad lunch. You cannot reserve a table. This is also the venue that you can hire the rowing boats, make sure you take food for the ducks.
10min walk.
La Talbooth (part of the Millom’s group) is a beautiful restaurant and has become a very popular dining and wedding destination. The building is on the bank of the river Stour and can’t help ooze charm and romance. It does price on the high side as it is a fine dining experience. However, they do dining deals throughout the year. The Staff are at the top of their game here. The Dedham Vale Chateaubriand is excellent. This is definitely for a special occasion.
5min by car
30min walk (the meadows do flood in the winter)
21 lokal ang nagrerekomenda
Le Talbooth
La Talbooth (part of the Millom’s group) is a beautiful restaurant and has become a very popular dining and wedding destination. The building is on the bank of the river Stour and can’t help ooze charm and romance. It does price on the high side as it is a fine dining experience. However, they do dining deals throughout the year. The Staff are at the top of their game here. The Dedham Vale Chateaubriand is excellent. This is definitely for a special occasion.
5min by car
30min walk (the meadows do flood in the winter)
Milsoms is a great spot for lunch or dinner and is a very popular restaurant. You cannot book a table but it is a fair size venue and I have never failed to get a table. You can sample one of their many cocktails in the lounge if you have a little wait. There is also a large covered patio that you can enjoy all year round. They do have heaters and provide blankets on chillier evenings. There is plenty to choose from on the menu. My go to dish is the Duck Taco’s.
4 min by car
25min walk (the meadows do flood in the winter)
27 lokal ang nagrerekomenda
Milsoms
Stratford Road DedhamMilsoms is a great spot for lunch or dinner and is a very popular restaurant. You cannot book a table but it is a fair size venue and I have never failed to get a table. You can sample one of their many cocktails in the lounge if you have a little wait. There is also a large covered patio that you can enjoy all year round. They do have heaters and provide blankets on chillier evenings. There is plenty to choose from on the menu. My go to dish is the Duck Taco’s.
4 min by car
25min walk (the meadows do flood in the winter)
The Essex Rose is the large pink timber-framed building on the corner opposite the Royal square. It serves a selection of cakes, sandwiches and light lunches. Here you can enjoy a traditional cream tea. It is now part of the Tiptree enterprise so you can also stock up your cupboards with their famous preserves. If you are just walking by they also sell traditional soft whipped ‘99’ ice cream cones.
Dog Friendly, 5min walk.
8 lokal ang nagrerekomenda
Essex Rose Tea Rooms Dedham
High StreetThe Essex Rose is the large pink timber-framed building on the corner opposite the Royal square. It serves a selection of cakes, sandwiches and light lunches. Here you can enjoy a traditional cream tea. It is now part of the Tiptree enterprise so you can also stock up your cupboards with their famous preserves. If you are just walking by they also sell traditional soft whipped ‘99’ ice cream cones.
Dog Friendly, 5min walk.
Places to eat 'Out and About'
The Crown
Park StreetWest Mersea Oyster Bar
Coast RoadMaybush Inn
Cliff RoadThe Pier Hotel
The QuayThe Layer Fox
2 Malting Green RdTiffins Tea & Coffee House
Hall StreetThe Great House Hotel and Restaurant
Bellapais Steak House and Greek Restaurant
Saint John's StreetJacqueline's Tea Room
14 Short Wyre StCodfather
38 King StThe Mill Hotel
Walnut Tree LaneLocal Activities
Boat hire - From the boathouse in Dedham you can hire a row boat and head along the river Stour towards Flatford. Here you can explore the area that the local painter, John Constable, made famous. This is also the location of Willy Lott’s Cottage.
https://thekitchenatgroup.co.uk/locations/kitchen-dedham
22 lokal ang nagrerekomenda
The Boathouse
Mill LaneBoat hire - From the boathouse in Dedham you can hire a row boat and head along the river Stour towards Flatford. Here you can explore the area that the local painter, John Constable, made famous. This is also the location of Willy Lott’s Cottage.
https://thekitchenatgroup.co.uk/locations/kitchen-dedham
Just a short walk from the cottage you can visit the former home of the artist Sir Alfred Munnings (1878-1959). This museum houses one of the largest collections of his works and they have been placed through out his beloved home. I have a special love for the museum as my grandfather was the founder bringing the collection together and opening it to the public. Along side his own work, he became a respected art expert specialising and authenticating works by Sir A. J Munnings.
www.munningsmuseum.org.uk
14 lokal ang nagrerekomenda
The Munnings Art Museum
Castle HillJust a short walk from the cottage you can visit the former home of the artist Sir Alfred Munnings (1878-1959). This museum houses one of the largest collections of his works and they have been placed through out his beloved home. I have a special love for the museum as my grandfather was the founder bringing the collection together and opening it to the public. Along side his own work, he became a respected art expert specialising and authenticating works by Sir A. J Munnings.
www.munningsmuseum.org.uk
Bike, Canoe and Kayak Hire - There is a company in a neighbouring village, East Bergholt. They supply bikes and other sporting equipment. They have lots of routes and suggestions on their website. I believe they also have a delivery and collect service.
http://www.outdoorhirecentres.com/east-bergholt.html
reservations@outdoorhirecentre.co.uk
East Bergholt
Bike, Canoe and Kayak Hire - There is a company in a neighbouring village, East Bergholt. They supply bikes and other sporting equipment. They have lots of routes and suggestions on their website. I believe they also have a delivery and collect service.
http://www.outdoorhirecentres.com/east-bergholt.html
reservations@outdoorhirecentre.co.uk
Here there is a wide range of outdoor experiences. You can learn to ski or snowboard or just jump in a ring or toboggan and launch yourself down the outdoor ski slope. If speed is not your thing you can challenge yourself on the climbing wall or high ropes. Or alternatively just watch the others and enjoy a drink in the lodge restaurant. Lessons can be booked in advance
www.suffolkleisurepark.co.uk
Suffolk Leisure Park
Bourne HillHere there is a wide range of outdoor experiences. You can learn to ski or snowboard or just jump in a ring or toboggan and launch yourself down the outdoor ski slope. If speed is not your thing you can challenge yourself on the climbing wall or high ropes. Or alternatively just watch the others and enjoy a drink in the lodge restaurant. Lessons can be booked in advance
www.suffolkleisurepark.co.uk
It has been lovely to watch Jimmy grow from the beginning and watch the farm transform. This is a highlight for lots of children and many of the adults as well. If you don’t wish to eat at the onsite restaurant there are plenty of places to have a picnic.
www.jimmysfarm.com
56 lokal ang nagrerekomenda
Ang Pamilihan ni Jimmy
Pannington Hall LaneIt has been lovely to watch Jimmy grow from the beginning and watch the farm transform. This is a highlight for lots of children and many of the adults as well. If you don’t wish to eat at the onsite restaurant there are plenty of places to have a picnic.
www.jimmysfarm.com
Not only is Hall farm a quality butcher’s and shop they have a nice onsite café. They have just reopened their farm trail which proves popular with the children.
www.hallfarmshop.com
11 lokal ang nagrerekomenda
Hall Farm Dedham
Church RdNot only is Hall farm a quality butcher’s and shop they have a nice onsite café. They have just reopened their farm trail which proves popular with the children.
www.hallfarmshop.com
For something a little different private pottery or glass classes can be booked at this Small business in Ipswich. Advanced booking is required.
https://honeypiehandmade.co.uk
Honeypie Handmade
Hamilton RoadFor something a little different private pottery or glass classes can be booked at this Small business in Ipswich. Advanced booking is required.
https://honeypiehandmade.co.uk
Zoo ng Colchester
Maldon RoadNearby Towns and Villages
Further along the river lies the village of Mistley. Here you can explore the woods and find the famous Old Knobbley tree, thought to be at least 800 years old. According to local folklore the woods surrounding Old Knobbley is where hunted witches
sought sanctuary. Between 1645 to 1647 the area was home to “Witch-finder General” Mathew Hopkins, he owned the Thorn Inn and it is thought this is where he interrogated his first witch. It is believed that in this two year period he was responsible for the death of over 300 women.
- The Mistley Thorn: www.mistleythorn.co.uk
Mistley
Further along the river lies the village of Mistley. Here you can explore the woods and find the famous Old Knobbley tree, thought to be at least 800 years old. According to local folklore the woods surrounding Old Knobbley is where hunted witches
sought sanctuary. Between 1645 to 1647 the area was home to “Witch-finder General” Mathew Hopkins, he owned the Thorn Inn and it is thought this is where he interrogated his first witch. It is believed that in this two year period he was responsible for the death of over 300 women.
- The Mistley Thorn: www.mistleythorn.co.uk
Keep travelling east and you will come to Wrabness, here you will find a very unusual monument. Turner Prize winning artist Grayson Perry built ‘A House for Essex’. It has been designed like a pilgrimage chapel and has become a shrine for a fictional Saint Julie Cope. Although you can not enter the building a public footpath leads you around the property.
6 lokal ang nagrerekomenda
Wrabness
Keep travelling east and you will come to Wrabness, here you will find a very unusual monument. Turner Prize winning artist Grayson Perry built ‘A House for Essex’. It has been designed like a pilgrimage chapel and has become a shrine for a fictional Saint Julie Cope. Although you can not enter the building a public footpath leads you around the property.
Once you get to Harwich you can go no further unless you board one of the many Cruise ships to the continent. If you are into your history you can find the Redoubt (1808), built as part of the defence to keep Napoleon out of England and was among the chain of Martello Towers along the coast. Moored of Harwich Quay is the LV18 lightship which was built in 1957. This was the home of Pirate BBC Essex Radio and in 2008 it featured in the film ‘The Boat that Rocked’.
www.facebook.com/LV18Harwich
If you want to go on the water Seal watching trips leave regularly and take you to Hamford Water Nature Reserve where you are guaranteed a sighting.
www.sealwatching.co.uk
- The Pier: www.milsomhotels.com/the-pier
- Thai up at the Quay: www.thaiupatthequay.com
- The Alma Inn: www.almaharwich.co.uk
14 lokal ang nagrerekomenda
Harwich
Once you get to Harwich you can go no further unless you board one of the many Cruise ships to the continent. If you are into your history you can find the Redoubt (1808), built as part of the defence to keep Napoleon out of England and was among the chain of Martello Towers along the coast. Moored of Harwich Quay is the LV18 lightship which was built in 1957. This was the home of Pirate BBC Essex Radio and in 2008 it featured in the film ‘The Boat that Rocked’.
www.facebook.com/LV18Harwich
If you want to go on the water Seal watching trips leave regularly and take you to Hamford Water Nature Reserve where you are guaranteed a sighting.
www.sealwatching.co.uk
- The Pier: www.milsomhotels.com/the-pier
- Thai up at the Quay: www.thaiupatthequay.com
- The Alma Inn: www.almaharwich.co.uk
Long Melford, Sudbury is a beautiful quintessential English Village located in the Suffolk Countryside. It was made famous by the Artist Thomas Gainsborough and John Constable. In more recent years it may be recognised more from its appearances in the BBC’s Lovejoy series as it was used as a main filming location. The main high street has antique centres, independent shops, galleries and has a great atmosphere.
- Melford Hall: www.nationaltrust.org.uk/melford-hall
- Kentwell Hall: www.kentwell.co.uk
- The Long Melford Swan: www.longmelfordswan.co.uk
59 lokal ang nagrerekomenda
Long Melford
Long Melford, Sudbury is a beautiful quintessential English Village located in the Suffolk Countryside. It was made famous by the Artist Thomas Gainsborough and John Constable. In more recent years it may be recognised more from its appearances in the BBC’s Lovejoy series as it was used as a main filming location. The main high street has antique centres, independent shops, galleries and has a great atmosphere.
- Melford Hall: www.nationaltrust.org.uk/melford-hall
- Kentwell Hall: www.kentwell.co.uk
- The Long Melford Swan: www.longmelfordswan.co.uk
Lavenham is probably one of the best preserved medieval wool town in the country. The streets are filled with half-timbered medieval buildings and it has a superb late gothic church reflecting the wealth of the community.
- The Great House Hotel: www.greathouse.co.uk
122 lokal ang nagrerekomenda
Lavenham
Lavenham is probably one of the best preserved medieval wool town in the country. The streets are filled with half-timbered medieval buildings and it has a superb late gothic church reflecting the wealth of the community.
- The Great House Hotel: www.greathouse.co.uk
Beaches
Walton-on-the-Naze has dog friendly parts open all year round. It has lovely long stretches of sand to walk along. This is a family friendly resort with lots of attraction and amusements on the pier
38 lokal ang nagrerekomenda
Walton-on-the-Naze
Walton-on-the-Naze has dog friendly parts open all year round. It has lovely long stretches of sand to walk along. This is a family friendly resort with lots of attraction and amusements on the pier
Clacton is probably the most popular beach in the area for families. It has a lovely sandy beach with few pebbles and it caters for everyone. Arcades, amusements and plenty of places to get snacks and ice cream.
- Franco’s: www.francos-restaurantclacton.co.uk
34 lokal ang nagrerekomenda
Clacton-on-Sea
Clacton is probably the most popular beach in the area for families. It has a lovely sandy beach with few pebbles and it caters for everyone. Arcades, amusements and plenty of places to get snacks and ice cream.
- Franco’s: www.francos-restaurantclacton.co.uk
Mersea Island is split into two main areas, West Mersea and East Mersea, they are connected to the mainland by the Strood, a causeway that can flood at hight tide (you must keep an eye on tide times). West Mersea is the area to head for. If we make this journey its normally for food. Especially Oysters!
- West Mersea Oyster Bar: www.westmerseaoysterbar.co.uk
41 lokal ang nagrerekomenda
Mersea Island
Mersea Island is split into two main areas, West Mersea and East Mersea, they are connected to the mainland by the Strood, a causeway that can flood at hight tide (you must keep an eye on tide times). West Mersea is the area to head for. If we make this journey its normally for food. Especially Oysters!
- West Mersea Oyster Bar: www.westmerseaoysterbar.co.uk
Aldeburgh is a picturesque seaside town on the Suffolk coast, known for its beautiful Blue Flag pebbled beach. The promenade is lined with Pastel-coloured 19th century holiday villas and dotted on the beach you will find fisherman’s huts selling the daily catch.The composer Benjamin Britten made Aldeburgh his home and founded the renowned International Festival of arts that takes place every June at nearby Snape Maltings (as you are passing it is worth a look, it also has a number of boutiques). A four-meter-high ‘Scallop’ sculpture can be found along the north part of the beach. Designed by Maggi Hambling and made entirely by local craftsmen. It has been inscribed with words from Britten’s famous opera Grimes. If you fancy fish and chips on the beach, two famous family run fish and chip shops can be found on the High Street.
- https://www.aldeburghfishandchips.co.uk/
The Lighthouse is a great restaurant for a spot of lunch or dinner. Here they focus on local, fresh produce:
- https://lighthouserestaurant.co.uk/
If you have travelled to Aldeburgh it is worth visiting Thorpeness its neighbouring Village. Stuart Ogilvie brought the hamlet in 1910 and set about creating a fantasy holiday village. The Meare is an artificial boating lake that has islands with themes from J M Barrie’s novel Peter Pan. However, it’s the fantastical ‘House in the Clouds’ that people always want to see.
Places you pass on route:
The Maybush Inn: www.debeninns.co.uk/maybush - Great location, great seafood and dog friendly.
Orford Castle: www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/orford-castle
205 lokal ang nagrerekomenda
Aldeburgh
Aldeburgh is a picturesque seaside town on the Suffolk coast, known for its beautiful Blue Flag pebbled beach. The promenade is lined with Pastel-coloured 19th century holiday villas and dotted on the beach you will find fisherman’s huts selling the daily catch.The composer Benjamin Britten made Aldeburgh his home and founded the renowned International Festival of arts that takes place every June at nearby Snape Maltings (as you are passing it is worth a look, it also has a number of boutiques). A four-meter-high ‘Scallop’ sculpture can be found along the north part of the beach. Designed by Maggi Hambling and made entirely by local craftsmen. It has been inscribed with words from Britten’s famous opera Grimes. If you fancy fish and chips on the beach, two famous family run fish and chip shops can be found on the High Street.
- https://www.aldeburghfishandchips.co.uk/
The Lighthouse is a great restaurant for a spot of lunch or dinner. Here they focus on local, fresh produce:
- https://lighthouserestaurant.co.uk/
If you have travelled to Aldeburgh it is worth visiting Thorpeness its neighbouring Village. Stuart Ogilvie brought the hamlet in 1910 and set about creating a fantasy holiday village. The Meare is an artificial boating lake that has islands with themes from J M Barrie’s novel Peter Pan. However, it’s the fantastical ‘House in the Clouds’ that people always want to see.
Places you pass on route:
The Maybush Inn: www.debeninns.co.uk/maybush - Great location, great seafood and dog friendly.
Orford Castle: www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/orford-castle